About Me

Do you know what it takes to keep your home heating system working efficiently? Most people know that the filters need to be changed from time to time, but exactly when should you be changing them? What type of filter should you be using? Is there anything else that homeowners can do to ensure that the system they rely on to heat and cool their homes operates using as little energy as possible? My blog will show you all sorts of things about maintaining your home heating and cooling system. In the end, you will know just what to do to take care of your home's system.

Archive

Search

3 Tips For Winterizing A Central Air Conditioner

Many homeowners leave their central HVAC system on "heat" all winter long. Even when you are not using your air conditioner, it is still important to keep it protected from cold weather. Here are three tips that can keep your central air conditioner in good condition through the coldest winter.

Insulate Condensate Drain Lines

The pipes that run out of the back of your air conditioner's outdoor condenser unit are known as the condensate drain lines. These lines are responsible for removing moisture that builds up on the inside of the condenser to keep it from rusting and prevent mold and algae growth. Unfortunately, the moisture in these lines can freeze in the winter, especially if you need to run your air conditioner on an unusually warm winter day.

To prevent the condensate drain lines from freezing and avoid having to replace them, you should make sure they are insulated before winter. Foam pipe insulation is sufficient to keep these lines from freezing. Foam insulation is sold in long strips that are split on one side. Simply cut the insulation to match the length of your drain lines, fit the cut piece over the drain lines, and wrap the insulation with duct tape to hold it in place.

Keep the Area Around the Condenser Clear

As snow builds up around the condenser during the winter, it can cause clogging, rust, and damage to the aluminum fins on the outside of the unit. To avoid this, you should first remove any leaves, branches, and other debris within two to three feet around the condenser. This will prevent heavy snow from pushing debris and plant matter into the condenser.

You should make a habit of shoveling snow away from the condenser whenever it is high enough to be in contact with the aluminum fins. If snow is left to pile up, ice is likely to form on the outside of the unit. As the ice melts, it can cause rust to form on the outside, and also on the inside if water leaks into the condenser.

Cover the Top of the Condenser With Plywood

You have likely heard that wrapping the condenser with plastic is a good way to keep it protected in the winter, but this is not necessarily true. Plastic wrap creates a barrier that can trap moisture inside the condenser and cause it to rust. Instead, place a piece of plywood on top of the condenser and weigh it down with a cinderblock or heavy stone. This will protect the unit from falling snow and debris, eliminating the chance that your condenser will rust when combined with regular shoveling.

Use these tips to winterize your central air conditioner so you will not face unexpected problems when the cooling season rolls around again. Contact a company like Tropic Air Conditioning INC for more information or assistance.